Umahi Addresses Protests Over NELAN Engineers' Killing

David Umahi, the Minister of Works, responded to protests concerning the killing of NELAN engineers during a violent community conflict in Ebonyi State. In a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Franci Nwaze, Umahi described the incident as a painful tragedy and acknowledged the grief of the families affected.

The engineers were reported missing on November 3, 2021, amid the violent conflict between the Effium and Ezza Effium communities in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Umahi noted that the engineers were not isolated victims, as many lives were lost during the conflict.

He stated that upon receiving information about the engineers' disappearance, he promptly informed the then-Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, who mobilized security agencies to conduct an intensive search and investigation. The efforts led to the arrest of suspects who allegedly confessed to the crime, and the matter is currently in court.

Umahi reiterated that the government would not abandon the case and is committed to ensuring justice for the deceased engineers and their families.